In September 2012, the University of Wisconsin-Stout transitioned from the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), to the Open Pathway model of accreditation through The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

The Open Pathway seeks to achieve the following foals.

To enhance institutional value by opening the improvement aspect of accreditation so that institutions may choose Quality Initiatives to suit their current circumstances

To reduce the reporting burden on institutions by utilizing as much information and data as possible from existing institutional processes and collecting them in electronic form as they naturally occur over time